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The development and nature of the construct touch avoidance

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Abstract

Development of two touch-avoidance measures via factor analysis are reported. Touch avoidance is a nonverbal communication predisposition that consists of two dimensions, same-sex touch avoidance and opposite-sex touch avoidance. The results are replicated across two distinct samples with consistent reliability of measurement. Touch avoidance is then related to communication apprehension, self-disclosure, self-esteem, and a series of cultural role variables. The cultural role variables seem to have the greatest relationship with the two measures of touch avoidance. A program for future research on touch avoidance is also discussed.

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Andersen, P.A., Leibowitz, K. The development and nature of the construct touch avoidance. J Nonverbal Behav 3, 89–106 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01135607

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